How Landlords Can Resolve a Dispute With Their Tenants

Being a landlord is no mean task. You have to be on the ball whether it’s regarding rent, do’s and don’ts in the property, the type of tenant you want and of course resolving any disputes. Having a good relationship with a tenant is essential. It will make the rental agreement an easy and straightforward experience for both parties.

Types of disputes often encountered

When renting out a property, it’s important to try and make sure disputes don’t arise with your tenant.

Below are some of the most common disputes landlords encounter with tenants:-

Not keeping the property well maintained and in good order

Repairs needed that haven’t been reported

Damage to the property

Unpaid rent

Owning a property or properties is a good investment, however you need to make sure tenants will take care of it. If a dispute does arise, it’s best to discuss it immediately and talk it through to come to a mutual agreement.

Stay cool

Should a situation arise, stay cool and calm. Try and take care of the problem yourself. Find out how to resolve disputes by reading up on the law of lease agreements and staying up to date on housing laws.

Talking a problem through with a tenant face to face is the right approach. If this doesn’t work, a professional mediator could be the answer. These people are specifically trained to deal with most kinds of landlord/tenant disputes.

Keep a record of everything that is said during a dispute with the tenant. This will be proof of what he or she has said and done over the problematic period. If the dispute gets serious and still can’t be resolved, as a last resort, you may have to take the matter to court.

Settle out of court

As a landlord, the last thing you want is to go to court. Imagine the hassle, worry and stress that it would involve. Then there are solicitor’s costs to think about which could be very expensive. If you do have to go to court, a small claims court is often cheaper and can lead to a faster conclusion at the end of the day. The best way forward is to come to an agreement with your tenant over any dispute amicably.

Help where you can

As a landlord who wants to have a good relationship with a tenant, try to help where you can. After all, you do have a responsibility to your tenant. If any problems are reported, get them sorted out as soon as possible. This will show you want your property to stay in good condition. There’s always an answer to any landlord/tenant dispute. Communication is the key so there’s no need for confrontation or bad feeling.